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Day 7 - Canyonlands Birthday

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    Another North American Road Trip Day 7: Thursday, June 25th Got up early and got ready. We went down to breakfast and were pleasantly surprised to find that the attendant knew allergen info and there were lots of options that were dairy-free.     Desmond had scrambled eggs and muffins, Bryan enjoyed a breakfast burrito, and I filled my plate with pork, eggs, homestyle potatoes, and melon cubes.   We were on the road by 6:30 AM and on our way to Canyonlands National Park. There wasn’t anyone at the fee booth to check our pass, so we drove straight to the trailhead. We took the little 0.6 mile loop to see the mesa arch. As we hiked down the trail towards the sun, I was happy to see Desmond using his new sunglasses.  Looking through the arch was a stunning view out across the landscape. There is so much variety and depth to the scene with rock formations and wide open spaces viewed through the frame of the arch. Very beautiful.  On the way back to the...
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Day 6 - Zion to Moab

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    Another North American Road Trip Day 6: Wednesday, June 24th Oh man, were we tired this morning.  After a big day of hiking and driving yesterday, and the elements (heat and wind, respectively) combining to make sleep challenging last night, we were all dragging this morning. But we got out of our tents early, had some oatmeal, packed up our camp, and headed over to catch a bus into the park to do one more hike before we move on to our next stop. It really is so nice that there are only busses and bikes in the park.  While it took a while waiting to get on to the shuttle this morning since there were so many other enthusiastic park goers in line with us, it makes the experience within the park so much better.  No stress about parking once in the park.  No concern about traffic jams due to wildlife sightings.  It makes it really simple and streamlined. Desmond found poliwogs again in the water today (he had found some in the narrows yesterday, which...
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Day 5 - Great Basin National Park (and the Narrows)

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  Another North American Road Trip Day 5: Tuesday, June 23rd We got up early, ate breakfast at the hotel, and were pulling out of the parking lot by about 6:30 AM. We drove to Great Basin National Park.  Up and up we drove.  Around winding roads up into the mountains.  I had selected the hike for the morning.  A 2.7 mile loop with 600 ft of elevation gain.  This Alpine Lakes Loop would take us by two lakes before returning us to the parking lot.  A perfect wake up and walk hike. Desmond decided he would be telling his cross country running coach that he has been “training at elevation.” We saw deer, birds including a woodpecker, and really enjoyed the beauty and stillness of the morning.  The first half of our hike we barely saw anyone. There were flowers, and interesting trees, little babbling brooks and sparkling lakes.  It was heavenly. Desmond did the junior ranger program at the visitor center afterward.  Then we headed toward Zion ...
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